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The Republican split between the Pataki and Giuliani camps runs deep, going back to 1994, when Giuliani endorsed Democratic governor Mario Cuomo for a fourth term over Pataki, then a state senator, warning of ethics-related trouble if Pataki and his patrons got control of the governor's mansion.

Catsimatidis announced Pataki's endorsement just one day after Lhota's campaign showed signs of robust fund-raising, pulling in $730,000 in two months. Catsimatidis' spending will dwarf Lhota's. But it shows at least that the prospect of being outspent, and of being opposed by the Republican county organizations, hasn't scared away Lhota's donors.

Catsimatidis' campaign announced the Pataki endorsement in a press release, ensuring their candidate, who has a history of saying unpredictable things, stays on message.

In a statement released by the campaign, Catsimatidis says "I hope Governor Pataki will join me on the streets as we bring our campaign to every neighborhood in the city."